Diesel engine running at idle.

[Sandancers]

I know it is not good practice to run a diesel engine at idle from cold for more than a couple of minutes, but is there any harm in letting a diesel engine, specifically a Ford 2014 2.2l, idle for say half an hour when it's warm from a journey ?

Let's not worry about the environment on this, it's an experiment I want to do with the diesel heater.

 

[Lenny HB]

Not as bad as idling from cold but I wouldn't unless you mind forking out for a new CAT & DPF.

 

[Carolyn and Kev]

Does not effect the DPF or Cat as when they are tested in situ, they are left to idle for up to 1/2 hr and then run at full bore to clear out. Long and short of it is..if you do it regularly, then you need to clear it out either on a run or hold your foot down to blow it out. Next time you pop into the local garage for Mots or services etc, ask their procedure they use for cleaning out the DPF and the cat for reset procedure. Its as described but with a analyser in the exhaust and lap top coupled up to the gubbins (OBD) under the dash. They can see the results on the lap top via the OBD and when they show the figures they need to be ..the test /service is complete.

Kev

PS..Just had it done on sons BMW car with 95 k miles on it.

 

[TerryL]

Knowing the warnings folk put out about idling diesel engines for extended periods, I was looking at the ice-cream van parked at our local beach. It's engine - not a gennie or other motor - is running all day at idling speeds. The only run it gets is to and from it's depot (there's a small fleet of them) at the begining and end of the day, about 10 miles! Is that enough do you think?

 

[thebriars]

Knowing the warnings folk put out about idling diesel engines for extended periods, I was looking at the ice-cream van parked at our local beach. It's engine - not a gennie or other motor - is running all day at idling speeds. The only run it gets is to and from it's depot (there's a small fleet of them) at the begining and end of the day, about 10 miles! Is that enough do you think?

Most ice cream vans are ancient and their engines are pre CATs and DPF.

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[Allanm]

Most ice cream vans are ancient and their engines are pre CATs and DPF.

I think there’s a company who would disagree with that statement.......

 

[Lenny HB]

I think there’s a company who would disagree with that statement.......

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They are going to get some expensive repair bills.

 

[Deneb]

Not at all good for modern diesels running with low viscosity extended drain interval oils. Just before I retired a couple of years ago a large premium German vehicle manufacturer sent instructions to police workshops following a number of catastrophic engine failures. Their investigations had concluded that the recommended low viscosity oils, modern engines with fine tolerances and long service intervals were incompatible with the usage pattern of vehicles that sat idling for periods of time at incidents to maintain power for emergency lighting and radios etc. The instructions were to use a thicker oil and change it every 6000 miles. The solution is not good for the particulate filter and emissions control systems, but many of the vehicles are only expected to have a life of 3 to 4 years anyway.

 

[TheDogMan]

Mine is parked on a slope when I am loaded and the trailer on I always let the engine run for 5 - 10 minutes, it always sets off much smoother.

 

[AXO66]

we run the engine when turning on the diesel heater until warm air is felt,believing we are taking the strain(drain) off the lesuire battery, and shift it to the alternator.
Whether we are right, .......no doubt folk will share their thoughts.

Have been led to believe the firing up of a diesel heater places quite a load on battery.

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[PeteH]

I always start mine before I open the gate and uncouple the Trailer prior to leaving (takes about 5+Min) It is my view that it is more beneficial to the engine than a Raw Cold Start, with the oil having circulated and the engine warming slightly. However I am cognisance of the need to be aware that prolonged idle could have a detrimental effect on the DPF and CAT. As for the DPF, I Periodically run the engine under load in excess of 2000rpm for at least 20 min. That was the recommendation from the manufacturer of a previous vehicle. I cannot find any definitive Mercedes Information on this subject. so If anyone has a link I would be grateful.

 

[Camping Gaza]

mr whippys ice cream always tasted better than any other for me as a child.... I wonder why?

 

[Vipar]

Knowing the warnings folk put out about idling diesel engines for extended periods, I was looking at the ice-cream van parked at our local beach. It's engine - not a gennie or other motor - is running all day at idling speeds. The only run it gets is to and from it's depot (there's a small fleet of them) at the begining and end of the day, about 10 miles! Is that enough do you think?

I used to be a ice cream van salesman (mr softie) our icecream machines ran on calor gas they may have changed now.??

 

[Carolyn and Kev]

I think there’s a company who would disagree with that statement.......

View attachment 340885

Superb whippy ice cream though!